Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 193,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. in Northridge, CA, seeks a Senior Staff Systems Development Lead Engineer to spearhead cross‑functional weapon system development, from IFC planning to certification.

You will lead large teams, coordinate multi‑contract development programs, and drive lean‑agile, model‑based processes. A current US Government Secret clearance is required for this on‑site role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 14 years of defense/aerospace product development; or Master’s with 12+ years; or Ph.D with 10+ years.
• 5+ years leading large, multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams of 20+ personnel in a matrix organization.
• Experience coordinating complex, multi-contract development programs in defense/aerospace.
• Experience integrating software for real-time, embedded, distributed, or mission-critical systems.
• Strong requirements development, system architecture, interface management and integration/testing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overarching IFC Plan for each product line.
• Align hardware and software IPTs with IFC schedule and milestones across contracts.
• Oversee evolution of IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases.
• Lead testing, QA, logistics support, and readiness for ground/flight tests.
• Drive certification and deliver IFC system certificates for various test phases.
• Expand technical breadth across mission threads and lean‑agile processes.
• Own risk management, tracking budget, schedule, and performance metrics.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Requirements development

Architecture

Interface management

Integration testing

Communication skills

Briefing stakeholders

Lean‑agile

Model-based engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Ph.D. considered

Tools

DoDAF

MIL-STD-499B

Model-based engineering tools

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is looking for a Weapon Systems Development Lead Level 6 that will spearhead the definition, development, and delivery of cross‑functional capabilities that enable the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AWBU) to design, prototype, and field next generation defense systems in Northridge, CA. Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures weapon systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives.This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government Secret security clearance.The Weapon Systems Development Lead 6 will lead cross-functional engineering teams across the full weapon system development lifecycle, using the Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) plan to align software, systems engineering, integration, and test activities with performance, schedule, and mission requirements. This position requires strong technical depth, systems thinking, and the ability to coordinate effectively with program leadership, customers, and partner engineering disciplines.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Strategic PlanningDevelop and maintain the overarching strategic IFC Plan for each product line.Translate the strategic vision into detailed IFC plans, schedules, and resource allocations.Program CoordinationAlign the work of hardware and software IPTs with the IFC schedule and milestones.Synchronize development baselines across contracts to avoid conflicts and gaps.Execution & IntegrationOversee the evolution of the IFC plan through architecture, hardware, and software design phases.Manage functional activities such as testing, quality assurance, logistics support, and readiness for ground‑ and flight‑test phases.Certification & ReleaseLead the IFC effort to certification, confirming that the integrated product set satisfies functional and performance requirements.Compile and deliver the IFC system certificate package for ground test, flight test, developmental/operational test, and evaluation.Systems Engineering LeadershipExpand technical breadth across a diverse portfolio of mission threads.Drive the transition from traditional systems engineering rigor to lean‑agile, model‑based processes.Control Account & Risk ManagementOwn Control Account Management responsibilities, tracking budget, schedule, and performance metrics.Identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the development lifecycle.BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Sr Staff Systems Development Lead Engineer:Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Defense Technology or a related field, with 14 years of defense or aerospace product development; or a Master’s with 12+ years of the same experience; or Ph.D with 10+ years of the same5+ years of experience leading large, multidisciplinary, cross‑functional teams of 20+ personnel in a matrix organizationExperience coordinating complex, multi‑contract development programs in a defense or aerospace environment.Experience integrating software for real-time, embedded, distributed, or mission-critical systemsStrong knowledge with requirements development, system architecture, interface management and integration/testing of complex systems.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical and non-technical stakeholdersCurrent US Government Secret security clearancePREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Proven record delivering integrated weapon‑system capabilities (e.g., missiles, directed‑energy, unmanned platforms)Proficiency with systemsFamiliarity with DoDAF, MIL‑STD‑499B, ACAT acquisition processesExperience in model‑based analysis, trade studies, and performance‑modeling toolsDemonstrated ability to lead large, cross‑functional teams in a matrix organizationExcellent oral and written communication skills with strong influencing and negotiation capabilitiesExperience in presenting complex technical concepts to senior military and industry stakeholdersDemonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage requirements, schedules, and risk.Familiarity with lean‑agile and model‑based engineering frameworks.#LI-MA.Primary Level Salary Range: $192,800.00 - $289,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.